STRYCHNINE SULPHATE 883 



inated within forty-eight hours. Strychnine is one of the 

 drugs that is supposed to possess a cumulative action, {. e., 

 which exhibits sudden and powerful effects after its con- 

 tinuous administratioD. This is said to be due to the fact 

 that it is not eliminated as rapidly as it is iugested, owing 

 to contraction of the renal vessels, and that it accumulates 

 in the spinal cord. The cumulative effect is not seen when 

 the drug is given subcutaneously; on the contrary, the sys- 

 tem becomes so habituated to it that ordinarily poisonous 

 doses can then be given with safety. Therefore, when a 

 cumulative action is observed, it is probably owing to 

 delayed absorption. 



Administration. — For tonic purposes, strychnine may be 

 given to dogs in pills or tablets, and to horses in solution 

 dropped on the tongue. Nux vomica is given to horses upon 

 the food in the form of powder, or in fluid extract upon the 

 tongue; while the tincture is more appropriate for dogs. 

 When large doses of strychuine are used, or an immediate 

 action is desired in acute diseases and emergencies, the 

 alkaloid should be given under the skin. 



Toxicology. • — One-twentieth of a grain of strychnine 

 nitrate, injected subcutaneously by the writer into a dog 

 weighing 25 lbs., caused uneasiness and excitement, with 

 protrusion of the eye-balls, and in the space of ten minutes, 

 tetanic convulsions. The breathing was shallow and almost 

 imperceptible, the pulse rapid and irregular, the lips were 

 covered with foam, the tail was stiff and extended, the ears 

 laid back, and there was general muscular rigidity, the 

 animal lying on his side in a state of opisthotonos. This 

 condition lasted about three minutes, and was followed by a 

 period of relaxation. But the slightest noise or irritation of 

 the skin brought on convulsions. The convulsions became 

 less frequent and violent, and ceased altogether within half 

 an hour. The same animal was given gr.^^^ of the alkaloid 

 on the following day, but without producing any appreciable 

 result. One-tenth of a grain, given on another day and in 

 the same manner, caused immediate uneasiness and restless- 



